Flaky tests
Fixed waits and brittle selectors make tests fail at random. Teams stop trusting the results and start ignoring them.
[ What Playwright is, and why it matters ]
One framework for every modern browser, built to make tests reliable
Playwright is an open-source test framework from Microsoft. One API drives Chromium, Firefox and WebKit, the engine behind Safari, in TypeScript, JavaScript, Python, Java or C#. It waits for pages to be ready before it acts, runs tests in parallel out of the box, and records a trace of every step so failures are easy to understand.
That matters because most automation fails for the same few reasons. Playwright is designed to remove them.
Comparing tools? See all our tool-agnostic testing services →
The problems it solves
Slow feedback
Suites that run for hours hold up releases, or get skipped when time is short.
Safari blind spots
Many tools can’t test the Safari engine in CI, so iPhone and Mac users find the bugs first.
Split UI and API suites
Separate tools for UI and API tests mean duplicated set-up and gaps between them.
[ How it gives you an advantage ]
Playwright, Selenium and Cypress, side by side
All three are good tools. Playwright is our usual choice for new web projects, and we’ll tell you honestly when another one fits better.
| Playwright | Selenium | Cypress | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Browsers | Chromium, Firefox and WebKit (Safari engine), bundled | All major browsers, including older enterprise ones | Chrome-family, Firefox and Electron; WebKit experimental |
| Languages | TypeScript, JavaScript, Python, Java, C# | Java, Python, C#, JavaScript, Ruby | JavaScript, TypeScript |
| Multi-tab & multi-origin | Built in | Supported | Limited |
| Parallel runs | Built in, with sharding | Through Selenium Grid | Through Cypress Cloud or plugins |
| API testing | Built in | Separate library | Built in for simple requests |
| Debugging | Trace Viewer: steps, DOM, network, console | Logs and screenshots you set up | Time-travel runner while coding |
| Best for | Most new web projects | Large Java or C# suites, older browsers | Front-end developers testing as they code |
Auto-waiting
Acts only when elements are ready, without fixed sleeps.
Browser contexts
Isolated, fast sessions per test, and multiple users in one test.
Trace Viewer
Every step, DOM snapshot, network call and console log, replayable.
Codegen & MCP
Record journeys or let AI agents draft tests, then refine them.
Honest note: Playwright doesn’t support Internet Explorer, and it tests mobile web, not native apps. For native iOS and Android we use Appium.
[ Where it can be used ]
Where Playwright fits best
Anywhere your users work in a browser. These are the kinds of products where it pays off most.
SaaS and single-page apps
Dashboards, editors and settings screens built in React, Angular or Vue.
eCommerce
Search, cart, checkout and payments across browsers and mobile web.
Sign-in and SSO flows
Multi-origin redirects, multi-factor steps and role-based access.
Multi-user journeys
Two users in one test, such as a buyer and a seller, or chat between accounts.
AI and streaming interfaces
Chat, copilots and streamed responses checked end to end.
Regulated and accessible sites
Accessibility scans and audit-friendly reports on every build.
[ How we use Playwright ]
Eight Playwright solutions we deliver
Start with end-to-end coverage of your key journeys, then add the layers your product needs. Each card lists what we deliver, when you need it and the problem it prevents.
End-to-end & cross-browser testing
Chromium, Firefox, WebKitYour key user journeys automated end to end and run on Chromium, Firefox and WebKit, the engine behind Safari, plus emulated phones and tablets for mobile web.
What we deliver
- Sign-up, sign-in, checkout and other critical journeys
- Multi-tab, pop-up and multi-origin flows
- Mobile web emulation for common devices
- Auto-waiting locators that cut flaky failures
When you need it
For any web app where a broken journey costs customers.
The problem it preventsA release that works in Chrome and breaks in Safari
API testing in the same suite
Playwright request APIWe use Playwright’s built-in request API to test your endpoints directly and to set up test data fast, so UI and API checks live in one suite.
What we deliver
- Contract, status and payload checks
- Test data created through the API, not the UI
- Auth flows and token handling
- API and UI steps combined in one test
When you need it
When your front end depends on APIs that change often.
The problem it preventsSlow UI tests doing work an API call could do in milliseconds
Visual regression testing
Screenshot comparisonScreenshots of key pages and components compared against approved baselines, so unintended layout and style changes are caught before release.
What we deliver
- Full-page and component-level snapshots
- Baselines per browser and viewport
- Masking of dynamic content such as dates
- Clear diffs your designers can review
When you need it
When design consistency matters as much as function.
The problem it preventsA CSS change quietly breaking pages nobody re-checked
Accessibility checks
axe-core in your suiteAutomated accessibility scans with axe-core run inside your Playwright tests, so common WCAG issues are flagged on every build.
What we deliver
- Missing labels, alt text and landmarks
- Colour contrast and heading structure
- Checks on pages after real user steps
- Results that feed into manual accessibility testing
When you need it
When you need to meet WCAG and keep meeting it.
The problem it preventsAccessibility fixed once, then broken by the next release
Component testing
React, Vue and moreFront-end components tested in a real browser on their own, giving developers fast feedback without running the whole app.
What we deliver
- Component states, props and events
- Edge cases hard to reach end to end
- Faster feedback during development
- Shared fixtures with your E2E suite
When you need it
When front-end developers want tests close to their code.
The problem it preventsBugs in shared components spreading across many pages
Network mocking & session reuse
Stable, fast testsWe mock slow or unreliable third-party calls and reuse signed-in sessions, so tests run faster and fail only for real reasons.
What we deliver
- Mocked payment, maps and other third-party responses
- Error and slow-network scenarios on demand
- Signed-in state saved once and reused
- Separate sessions per user role
When you need it
When tests are slow or flaky because of external services or repeated logins.
The problem it preventsBuilds failing because a third party had a bad minute
Migration from Selenium or Cypress
Move safelyWe move your existing suite to Playwright in priority order, run old and new suites side by side, and switch CI only when the new one is proven.
What we deliver
- Audit of the current suite and what to keep
- Highest-value tests migrated first
- Both suites run in parallel during the move
- CI switched over once results match
When you need it
When your current suite is slow, flaky or missing Safari.
The problem it preventsA big-bang rewrite that leaves you without tests for months
AI-assisted test creation & maintenance
Playwright MCP & agentsWe use Playwright MCP and AI agents to draft new tests and suggest fixes for broken locators. Every generated test is reviewed by an engineer before it’s merged.
What we deliver
- First drafts of tests from user journeys
- Suggested fixes when locators break
- Faster coverage of new features
- Engineer review on every change
When you need it
When coverage needs to grow faster than your team can write tests.
The problem it preventsA test backlog that never catches up with releases
[ Our approach ]
How we analyse your project and design the solution
We don’t start by writing tests. We start by understanding what could go wrong for your users, and who will look after the suite after we hand it over.
Understand your app and risks
We map your users’ key journeys, the browsers and devices they use, and where bugs have hurt you before.
You get: Journey and risk mapMatch your team
We pick the language, test runner and style your developers will actually maintain, from TypeScript to C#, with or without BDD.
You get: Language and structure decisionDesign the architecture
Page objects or fixtures, test data, environments and sign-in handled once, so each test stays short and readable.
You get: Framework blueprintProve it on your app
A small set of real tests running in your CI, so you can judge the approach before we scale it.
You get: Working pilot suite[ Structure & tool setup ]
The framework we set up, layer by layer
Each layer is chosen with your team. On the right is a typical project layout, so you can see how it all fits together.
LanguageTypeScript · JavaScript · Python · Java · C#
StructurePage Object Model · Playwright fixtures · BDD with Cucumber
Test dataData-driven tests · API-created data · isolated per test
ConfigurationDev, staging and production configs · saved sign-in per role
ExecutionParallel and sharded runs · Docker · BrowserStack, LambdaTest or Sauce Labs
CI/CDGitHub Actions · GitLab CI · Jenkins · Azure DevOps · Bitbucket · CircleCI
ReportingHTML report · Trace Viewer · Allure · TestRail, Xray or Zephyr
AI assistPlaywright MCP and agents, with engineer review
Sample project layoutTypeScript
tests/ e2e/ checkout.spec.ts sign-in.spec.ts api/ orders.api.spec.ts visual/ home.visual.spec.ts pages/ CheckoutPage.ts SignInPage.ts fixtures/ auth.fixture.ts data.fixture.ts data/ users.json products.csv config/ dev.env staging.env prod.env playwright.config.ts .github/workflows/playwright.yml
Example only. Your layout follows your language, app and team.
[ How we work ]
Six steps from audit to a suite your team owns
You see working tests early, and you approve each layer before we build on it.
-
Step 1 of 6
Audit
We review your app, current tests and pipeline, or your plan if you’re starting fresh.
You getFramework audit report -
Step 2 of 6
Design
Language, structure, data, environments and reporting agreed with your team.
You getFramework blueprint -
Step 3 of 6
Pilot
A first set of real tests running in your CI, so you can judge the approach.
You getWorking pilot suite -
Step 4 of 6
Scale coverage
Key journeys first, then API, visual and accessibility layers.
You getGrowing suiteCoverage map -
Step 5 of 6
Stabilise and speed up
Flaky tests fixed at the cause, parallel and sharded runs tuned.
You getStable, fast runs -
Step 6 of 6
Hand over and support
Documentation and walkthroughs, then ongoing support if you want it.
You getDocs and training
[ Benefits you’ll see ]
What changes once the framework is in place
On KORRA, an overnight Playwright and API suite replaced three to four days of manual regression before each release.
Feedback in minutes
Parallel and sharded runs keep the suite fast enough to run on every pull request.
Results you can trust
Auto-waiting, isolated data and mocked third parties mean a red build is a real bug.
Safari covered in CI
WebKit runs alongside Chromium and Firefox, so iPhone and Mac users aren’t your testers.
Failures explained
A trace for every failure shows exactly what happened, so fixes are quick.
One suite, more coverage
UI, API, visual and accessibility checks share set-up instead of living in separate tools.
Yours to keep
Your repository, your language, documented, with no licences to buy.
[ Case Studies ]
Suites we’ve built with Playwright
KORRA and Invenci AI run on Playwright; Designo shows our wider test automation work. Each links to the full write-up.
[ Ways to work ]
Six ways to work with our Playwright engineers
A new framework, a migration, a suite rescue or an engineer in your team.
01Fixed-price projectChoose it for a new framework or a migration with a clear scope.02Managed testingChoose it when you want the suite built, run and maintained for you.03Dedicated QA teamChoose it when automation grows every sprint.04Staff augmentationChoose it when your team needs a Playwright specialist for a while.05QA consultingChoose it for a review of your current suite and a plan to improve it.06On-demand testingChoose it for a one-off push, such as stabilising a flaky suite.
Hire our QAHire an automation engineerA Playwright engineer who joins your sprints, works in your repository and grows coverage with your team.See the role →
Start with no obligationFree Playwright framework auditWe review your current suite, or your plan for one, and send a short report on structure, flakiness, run time and CI.Request the audit →
Not sure which fits? Find your model in four questions, compare all six or estimate your cost.
[ FAQ ]
Playwright testing questions, answered
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[ Contact us ]
Get your free Playwright framework audit
✓ Free one-week POC✓ NDA before access✓ A QA lead replies the same day
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